The synthesis of an aminodibenzo[a,c]octadiene and an aminodibenzo[a,c]octatriene, guided by molecular mechanics calculations, was effected by the intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding open chain nitrenium ions. Also reported is the predicted failure to synthesize another aminodibenzo[a,c]octadiene using this method. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.